Supporting structure for eaves of tents



Oct. 20, 1931. B. H. BROOKS SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR EAVES OF TENTS Filed Jan. 21, 1928 IN VEN TOR.

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Patented Oct. 20, 1931 PATENT OFFICE BLoomr Ln H. BROOKS, or DENVER, COLORADO SUI PP ORTING STRUCTURE FOR EAVES F TENTS Application filed January 21, 1928. Serial No. 248,416.

r This invention relates to structures for supporting eaves of tents and particularly supporting structures which will hold the eaves of the tent in proper shape in normally distended condition and'has for an object to provide a structure of the class described which is adapted to be permanently positioned in the eaves of the tent but which can be easily removed therefrom without injury to 1 the tent or to the device.

' A further object'is to'provide'a device of "the class described which isadapted to remain attached toand positioned in the eaves of the tents for supporting or bracing the same in distended position for use, and which is likewise adapted to remain attached to the tent and to be'foldabletherewith when the tent'isl not inuse and it is desired to fold the s'ameflfor storage or transportation;

' Afurther obJect is to provide an eflicient,

light and cheap device for supporting of the eaves of tents but which-is likewise adapted to fold with the tent and to unfold therewith.

Other objects will appear from'the follow- 35 ing specification and claims and with such 8 objects in view the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout and in which I Figure I is an elevation of a tent supported in position for use with the present invention in place therein, a portion of the same being disclosed by a cut-away portion of the tent and the device being further disclosed in dotted lines.

Fig. II is a view on line IIII of Fig. I showing in plan the present invention in position in the tent when distended for use.

Figure III is a view of the device in folded position, the lines of the tent and the canvas retaining loops being omitted.

Figure IV is a. detail of the construction at the corners of the device.

Figure V is a cross section on line VV of Fig. IV.

Figure VI is a detail plan of the hinge and locking structure.

inwardly.

Figure VII is a cross section on line VII VII ofFi ure VI. v

Figure III is a detail elevation of the hiiige and locking structure shown in Fig. V

This invention is intended for use in polygonal peak tents and is here illustrated as used at the eaves of a square tent having a peak portion above the eaves. 3

On'the inside of the tent 1, which is sup- 0 ported by any suitable structure indicated at 2, supporting the same from the peak as indicated at 3, I provide loops 4 of canvas or other suitable material at the eaves of the tent on the interior thereof. 5

I provide a framework consisting of side ,pieces 5 and 6 adapted for insertion in the loops 4 and of length substantially equivalent to the length of the side of the eaves of the tent carrying such loops. These side pieces 6 are provided at their ends with suitable means such as L shaped plates 9 and 10 having holes for receiving bolts 8 for pivotally mounting the end pieces 13, 13a, 14 and 14a between the plates'which plates are fastened, as by rivets 11 and 12, to side pieces 5 and 6.

The end pieces 13, 13a, 14 and 14a preferably'h'ave round corners 15 to facilitate their folding upon and against the side pieces 5 and 6 in swinging uponthe bolts 8. so The end piece 13 is hinged to the end piece 13a'by hinge plates 16 pivoted at 17, such hinge being on 'theoutside of the end pieces and thus permitting the end pieces to fold m inwardly. The endpieces 14 and 14a are pro- '8?) vided' with corresponding hinge structures to likewise enable such end pieces to fold For the purpose of holding the two sections of the end pieces in alignment when the framework is in position in thetent distended for use, locking and clamping means are provided consisting of plates 18 and 19 placed respectively on the end pieces 13 and 13a and a latch member 20, having a groove 21 by means of which the latch is both pivotally and slidingly mounted on .pin 22, plate 18 being provided with a catch 23 which the hooked end 24 of the latch 20 engages, the said catch 23 having a broad head as clearly m i the end pieces 13 and 13a may be readily slid shown at Fig. VIII and the latch 20 fitting therebehind and being thereby h-eld closely against the plate 18 whereby the two sections of the end pieces are held in substantially rigid alignment. i

The plate 18 is preferably bent over and encloses the sides ofthe end piece 13 and may be extended to form a mounting for the hinge pin 17, all as clearly shown in Figs. VI and VII, and the plate 18 may be held in position by means of bolts 25 which'bolts may also be utilized for holdingone of the hinge plates 16 in position, all of which is clearly shown in Figs. VI and VII.

When the tent is constructed, the side pieces 5 and 6 are inserted in the loops 4 The end pieces 13 and 13a are folded together sufliciently to bring. their outer ends within the loops .4-in which they are to be inserted. The tent at this time is of course flexible and intothe loops 4, whereupon the end pieces 13 and 1.3a'are connected with the side pieces 5 and 6 by inserting the ends of the end pieces 13 and 13a between the plates 9 and 10 and inserting the bolt 8. a The end pieces 14 and 14a are positioned in like manner. If the tent is to be set up, the sections of the end pieces are brought into relative alignment and, locked by the locking means above described, whereupon the framework will support the eaves of the tent in distended positionfor use.

If it is desired to fold the tent, the latch 20 is thrown back andby reason of theslot 21 it will drop down on the pin 22 into a convenient position. The end pieces. are-then folded "inwardly, thus bringing the side pieces 5 and 6 together in-the manner illustrated in Fig. III. Allof this will be done I with the tent attachedgtothe framework by loops carried by and interior of the tent adjacent the eaves thereof, a plurality of rigid bars in some of said loops, a plurality of sectional bars adapted' by hinged connections to be inserted'into others of said loops and pivotally and'detach'ably connected with said rigid bars adjacent the corners of the eaves, said sectional bars being; provided with hinges and locks for respectively and alternately permitting the sections thereof to fold between said rigid bars and for locking said sections in substantially rigid alignment. 3. A structureforfsupporting eaves of a tentcomprising a plurality of bar-retaining loops carried byiand interiorofthe tent ad.- jacent the eaves thereof, a plurality ofri gid bars in some of said loops, a plurality of scc tional bars adapted by 'hinged' connections to beinserted into others of saidloops and pivotally' and detachably connected 'withsaid rigid bars adjacent'the corners of theeaves,

said sectional bars being provided with hinges and locks for respectively and alternately permitting the section's thereof-to fold between said rigid'bars and fo'r'ilocking said sections in substantially rigid alignment from said rigid bars without disconnecting said sectioned bars. I'

In testimonyjwhereof, I afii'xmy signature.

BLOOMFIELDH; BROOKS.

means of the loops 4 and the framework in this folded position will form asuitable core If the tent is to be supported by-outside structures such as indicated in-Fig. I or in any other situationinwhich it is desired to have 'steadyingor bracingmeans attached to i I the eavesof. the tent,' this eave supporting upon which to roll or fold the tent forstor- 1 age or transportation.

' structure forms substantial means for the attachment of such steadying or bracing means as chains 26 which may be attached to the outside, supportingpoles2 or to any other tail of construction may be made without in any manner departing from the spirit or scope of the foregoing specifications orthe appended claims.

-Iclaim .j" f 1. A framework for'eaves of tents comprisinga plurality of rigid bars and a plus rality of sectioned bars, me'ansfor detachably and .pivotally connecting said sectional bars 

